So, you have

Generally better form on the run-in
More players in their pomp / at peak
Few injuries being carried
Been the Bogey side for Saints at OT in last two years?

Is it just a case of you turning up and picking up the trophy?

Or will the Saints turn the form book on its head like we did in 1999 when we stopped the Bull rampage in a classic arm-wrestle.

Its always different being favourites - do you think you guys can handle better than we have in the past 2 years?

I'm quite happy for us to be underdogs - I travel in hope rather than expectation and am probably more excited about the game than any final since say the Pies at Cardiff in 2004.

Being underdogs or favourites has little impact.

For some reason saints fans over being underdogs, can't handle the pressure I guess.

It's a 50/50 game.

It's no way the same as last year when Saints were overwhelming favourites.

I think that this years GF is too close to call.
We haven't played any particularly outstanding football over the last couple of months but like any one off encounter it all depends on what happens on the night.The last 8 months count for sod all!!

We handled it in 2004 and tbh i doubt the players and staff take any notice of the "favourites" tag the best 2 teams in the comp in the GF again!

Not sure why...perhaps due to our upbringing always chasing Wigoon in the 80s and 90s.

I think we've been wrote off this year for about 3 months now so as long as we put in a big effort at OT I'll be happy. I think in terms of expectations, it is probably greater at Headingley than KR so I thinkthe pressure factor sits with you guys....

You guys have more to lose.

If we lose, it's still 2-1.

But if you lose?

3 grand finals on the trot to the same team? That's just too terrible to imagine isn't it?

You are underdogs but still carry alot of pressure IMO.

I think last year was due to the qualifier result at KR.

On paper, you guys are a stronger team. Although the team element means if we can put it together on Saturday we could do it.

Bookies go with you guys tho.

Rather harshly, Leeds aren't worth betting on at 8/11!

Saints are surely under more pressure. They can't lose 3 in a row against the same team, can they?

havent looked at the betting odds but so far all ive heard from pundits et al is it'll be a saints win. that suits me as thats been the case for the last 3 years and in the last 2 GF we still did it. end of the day no matter what side you have its a GF and everyone will play out of their skin. I do wonder if the departure of long and gilmore will be an edge for Saints as they'll want to leave as winner. Just like with Lee Smith, he wants to leave as a winner. we'll see, but all i want is a fair game where both teams get to play how they play best, fast and attacking. none of this holding down rubbish we see from hudds and catalans

The problem with Leeds is you never know which team is going to turn up.

If the one that blew away Les Cats with some dazzling RL in the 10 minutes either side of the half time break then no one can touch them but as we saw in the lat 30 mins of that game they can just as easily switch off and be utter numpties.

Bluey seems to be a master at emotional motivation and getting the best out of a team at exactly the right time. Lets hope this is the case on Saturday but it is far from being a simple turn up and walk over against the best team in SL over the past decade.

The Saints will be hugely motivated to wipe out the bitter memories of the last two finals and that was evident for me against the pie`aters.

Having said all that Wigan were within an ace of snatching a victory and whilst this year the Saints defence is strong the attacking aspect seems a bit lacking.

Looking forward to Saturday night and may the best team win.

The massive snub once again at the MOS awards will no doubt help Leeds motivate for a GF.

I wouldn't worry about us feeling like everyone is expecting us to win. I will comfortably predict that most "experts" will have Saints as "surprise winners".

Will we live up to the favourites tag? It depends on if Sky put cameras in our dressing room or not.

you just know this leeds side will turn up and play.
saints have more questions to answer for me.
will pryce go missing again?
will the rest of the saints pack match graham and puletula?
are long and cunningham past it?

for me if we can kick early, keep saints pegged back, there is no way they will score many from distance. discipline will be key as well.
a fascinating game in prospect. saints are, currently, the best defensive side while we are supurb going forward.

like the last two finals it's all about who turns up on the day and who takes there chances

Quote ="Harborne Saint" I think we've been wrote off this year for about 3 months now so as long as we put in a big effort at OT I'll be happy. '" Not by The Great Head High Tackle. viewtopic.php? ... 2#14525322

Quote ="Harborne Saint" I think we've been wrote off this year for about 3 months now so as long as we put in a big effort at OT I'll be happy. '" Not by The Great Head High Tackle. viewtopic.php? ... 2#14525322

Neither are strong favourites for me, same as last 2 years. It's about who plays the best on the day.

Saints only finished top by 1 point in the previous 2 seasons and Leeds by 4 points this season so there are only 2 points between them over an 80 odd game period.

If I had to bet my life on it though I would favour Leeds.

Spot on Tad.

I think Longy could play a big part in this Final's result, but it's a big ask to expect a team who have underperformed all season to suddenly click and play the type of rugby we know that they can produce.

The forward battle should be good with Graham again carrying the Saints pack.I'd expect out lads to get in his face early doors and attempt to wind him up



It's nice to be favourites, and despite one or two wobbly bits mid season I think we have timed it right, and are in our best frame of mind for such an important match.

Hopefully, we'll run out winners by 12 points

I think it's very close to call, and while league position probably justifies Leeds being favourites, it really could go either way. Like others, if I was forced to choose, I'd go for Leeds to win. It'd be a disappointment buthardly a huge shock if Saints won though.

The Leeds I have seen this year have not performed particularly well or with any real consistency during the course of the entire season - with perhaps one or two games (at most) where we played high intensity high tempo rugby for anything like a full 80. The fact that we finished top of the league says far more about British RL at the moment than it says about how good we are.

The game on Saturday looks even to me. I think Iestyn Harris's analysis that Leeds are a World Class player short is spot on. For me if Long plays well and Gidley is on song assuming Graham, Wilkin and Cunnigham turn up as they normally do I expect Saints to win.

But then I have never been known to be right when tipping Leeds

Not sure i agree with the Saints can't score from distance comment. They managed it in last years GF and their 1st try on Saturday against Wigan started some distance out.
Man for man our backs may be quicker, but they still possess the pace to score from within their own half.

Buderus?

Did he say in what position.